Esophageal perforation is an important therapeutic challenge. We hypothesized that
patients with minimal mediastinal contamination at the time of diagnosis could be
managed successfully with nonoperative treatment modalities.
We performed a retrospective review of 119 consecutive patients with esophageal perforation
from 1998 to 2008. Demographics, cause of perforation, clinical presentation, diagnostic
methods, and management results were evaluated. The decision to operate was based
on the extent of mediastinal contamination and systemic sepsis rather than cause of
perforation.
Median time to diagnosis among all patients was 12 hours (range, 1-120). Spontaneous
(Boerhaave's) perforation occurred in 44 (37%) patients. Iatrogenic perforations constituted
the remaining patients (n = 75). After instrumental perforation, 9 patients (13%)
required esophagectomy, 48 patients were managed with repair and drainage, and the
remaining 18 were managed nonoperatively. All 34 patients undergoing operative therapy
for spontaneous perforations were treated with esophageal repair. Overall mortality
was 14%, with intrathoracic perforations having 18% mortality, cervical 8%, and gastroesophageal
junction 3%. Patients undergoing nonoperative therapy had a shorter hospitalizations
(13 vs 24 days), fewer complications (36% vs 62%), and less mortality (4% vs 15%)
compared with those undergoing operative intervention.
An approach to esophageal perforation based on injury severity and the degree of mediastinal
and pleural contamination is of paramount importance. Although operative management
remains the standard in the majority of patients with esophageal perforation, nonoperative
management may be successfully implemented in selected patients with a low morbidity
and mortality if favorable radiographic and clinical characteristics are present.